Again, need to post older pictures not yet in my blog and they should ; after all, this blog is my life’s history , I went north to the Finistére dept 29 of my lovely Bretagne, and my belle France, This time will tell you more of Sizun, only 30 km from Morlaix, 41 km from Brest, 121 km from Lorient and 136 km from my house, Therefore here is more on the enclos Church Saint Suliau of Sizun !! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
We got to one of the exceptional parrish sites of the Finistére; that of the Enclos Church Saint Suliau. This is a monumental enclosure including several monuments all surrounded by a wall that is why they are known as enclos or enclosures. Here you come for the relics of Saint Suliau, who taken to the banks of the Rance river with four picks created magic that the wild animals who came to ravages his vineyards become domesticated, according to the legend.
The Sizun enclosure constantly oscillates between solemnity and fantasy, which sometimes borders on the strange. The parish whose mastery shines through in the finesse of the kersanton stones capitals. On the red facade of the ossuary built 1585-88, the patron of the parish, Saint Suliau, gives the start of a serious and unusual procession of apostles, also solemn in their almost Assyrian beards. Dominating the church, the large bell tower has the nobility of an heir of the Kreisker.
This architectural ensemble built in the 16C and 18C includes, in addition to the Saint-Suliau Church, an ossuary, a sacristy, a funerary chapel and a triumphal door. An essential stopover to discover the enclosures and ordeals of the region. The construction of this church extends over four work campaigns. The nave and southern porch, dated 1514, date back to the 16C; the first transept and the rest of the nave date from the first half of the 17C; the second transept and the choir were built between 1660 and 1664, and finally, the bell tower was erected between 1728 and 1735. The apse, of the Beaumanoir type with multiple valleys, is decorated with a sculpted frieze where masks composed of geometric elements and scenes from local legends or fabliaux alternate. The sacristy, octagonal in plan, recalls that of Bodilis with its imperial roof.
The Saint Suliau Church has a 17C high altar, richly decorated and sculpted and a polychrome organ built from 1683 to 1686 its 16C south porch is flamboyant in style. A statue of Saint Suliau, in a priest vest, surmounts the inner door and is dated 1514. A baptistry topped by a carved wooden canopy dates from 1619. A silver reliquary of Saint Suliau dates from 1625. The Saint Suliau Church has retained a processional banner of the 17C where Saint Suliau is depicted on one of the faces and Christ in the cross on the other side.
The bell tower is based on four pillars and has no foundation! It is one of the best of the Breton school, with 24 meters high tower and on the gallery 30 meters high octagonal shapes, with dates on it of 1728 and 1735. The steeple is 56 meters high.
The organ built between 1602-1685 with changes, Around 1850, it was rebuilt giving it a romantic style. In 1968, the organ remained, 9 stops and a keyboard, all in very poor condition. It was in 1971, that it was renovated in classical style with 10 stops on the Grand Organ, 7 on the positive and 3 on the pedals. This beautiful instrument is appreciated during the “Jeudis de Sizun” or the Thursdays of Sizun concerts in July and August. You see a wonderful pulpit from the 17C in carved gilded polychrome wood.
The town of Sizun on the enclosure: http://www.mairie-sizun.fr/fr/information/83056/l-enclos-paroissial
The CIAP interpretation center on the enclos of Sizun: https://www.ciap-enclos.fr/en/enclos/sizun/
The Finistére dept 29 tourist office on enclosures/heritage: http://www.finisterebrittany.com/discover/unusual-parish-churchyards
These are wonderful historically here in Bretagne and of course gorgeous architecture, we have seeing them all ; worth the detour, me think. Again, hope you enjoy the Enclos Church Saint Suliau of Sizun as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 